Nasal distender



1 Jan. 14, 1930. L; D. WASHINGTON 1,743,993

NASAL DIS'IENDER Filed Nov. 26. 1928 Patented Jan. 14, 1936- LAWRENCE D.WASHINGTON, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS N ASAL DISTENDER Application filedNovember 26, 1928. Serial No. 322,002.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a nasaldistender.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed specially designed for application to the nasal passagewaysand efiective when used, to increase the size of said passageways to theend that a greater volume of air may be supplied to the lungs.

It sometimes happens that on account of weakened condition of the nasalmuscles, the nasal passageways are contracted with the result that aninsufficient amount of air is supplied to the lungs, and it alsosometimes happens that on account of the moisture in the atmosphere aninsuflicient amount of oxygen is supplied to the lungseven though thenasal passageways are normal.

In either of such cases the distender here in described when used, willbe effective to increase the amount of air supplied to the lungs andthus to give the required supply of oxy- 'en. b Another object of theinvention is to provide a device of the character described which is ofvery simple construction, may be cheaply and easily manufactured, andmay be readily applied and which may be worn with comparative comfort.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particularrelation to certain novel features of construction, operation andarrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specificationand illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein.

Figure 1 shows an elevational view of the device in position to beapplied to the nasal passageways of the wearer.

Figure 2 shows an elevational view of the device in distended position,as in use, and

Figure 3 shows a side View of the device, as applied.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals ofreference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 1designates a U-shaped elastic wire or rod which may be made of steel orany other desired elastic material. The free ends 2, 2 of this wire areoutwardly turned and the discs 3, 3 are suitably secured to saidoutwardly turned ends. These discs are preferably convex on the outersides and are composed of any desirable material suitable for thepurpose. Tension wires or cords 4, 4 are provided. One end of eachtension wire is fastened to the wire 1 at or near its central point andtheir other ends are attached to the outwardly turned portions 2, 2 ofthe arms of the wire 1. A tension sleeve 5 is slidable on the tensionwires or cords 4, 4. When the ten sion sleeve 5 is moved outwardlytoward the free ends 2, 2 as shown in Figure l, the, discs 3, 3 will bedrawn together and when moved in the other direction said discs will bepermitted to move apart as shown in Figure 2. In use the distender isapplied as shown in Figure 3 with the discs 3, 3 in the respectivenostrils and with the respective discs 3, 3 pressed against the exteriorwalls of the nostrils from within so as to distend or open the fossae atthe base of the nose and thus enlarge the nasal passageways so as tomake possible a greater supply of air to the lungs during normalbreathing conditions. The distender Z may be adjusted to the nose, ashereinabove indicated, by adjusting the tension sleeve 5 on the cords 4.l/Vhile I have shown what I now consider to be the preferred form of theinvention it is obvious that mechanical changes may be made therein andequivalents substituted for the parts shown and I reserve the right tomake such changes and substitutions as may be found desirable and as maybe comprefoo i hended within the principle of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A nasal distender having elastic arms with enlargements at their freeends, a tension sleeve, tension cords on which the sleeve is slidable,said cords being attached, at one end, to the arms, nearthe free endsthereof, and being attached, at their other ends, to said arms, atpoints remote from said free ends. a

2. An elastic nasal distender having arms provided with enlargements attheir free ends, and means for regulating the range of outward movementof said enlargements relative to each other, said means comprising a'ion tension sleeve, tension cords on which the sleeve is slidable saidcords being attached at one end, to the respective arms adjacent theirfree ends, and being attached, at their other ends, to the distenderremote from said free ends.

In testimony whereof I .hayesigned my name torthis specification.LAWRENCE D. WASHINGTON.

